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Leather furniture requires a bit of special attention. Harsh cleaners may damage or discolor leather, so not just any type of cleaning agent will do. Several household substances can be used to give leather a thorough cleaning or to spot-clean specific problems such as ink or mildew.

From Salad to Sofa

Vinegar and olive oil offer several options for cleaning leather furniture. Dab vinegar directly over soiled areas, dry it off; then apply a dab of olive oil to a soft cloth and buff the leather with it to help keep the material soft and supple. Whip up an all-around leather cleaner by mixing equal portions of vinegar and olive oil in a bowl, whisking them to blend them together. Dip a plain paper towel or soft cloth into the mixture; then rub it all over the leather. Wipe the furniture down again with a fresh paper towel or cloth to remove excess oil.

As Simple as Soap and Water

A mild hand or dish soap serves as a general cleaner for leather furniture. A squirt or two of soap in a bowl of warm water, mixed together, cleans away basic dirt and dust. Vacuum the furniture first to remove loose debris; then dip a soft white cloth into the soapy water, wringing out most of the water so the cloth is damp. Wipe down all the leather this way; then wipe it again with a damp soap-free white cloth. Buff it dry immediately afterwards with yet another white, soft cloth. For a heavily soiled area, apply a drop or two of the gentle soap directly onto the damp cloth; then rub the soapy cloth over the stain. Wipe the leather again with a damp cloth; then buff dry.

Stain-Busting Solution

Rubbing alcohol straight out of the medicine cabinet removes several types of stains from leather furniture. Spritz a little rubbing alcohol onto a damp white cloth and blot it over mildew to remove mildew stains. Apply alcohol to a cotton ball to dab away ink. Don't rub ink stains, as that may spread the ink -- just blot and dab, using a fresh area of the cotton ball until the ink is gone. Test alcohol on an inconspicuous area of the leather first to ensure alcohol is compatible with the leather's finish.

Cold Cleaning

Chewing gum, candle wax or chewy substances such as taffy need not create a permanent mess on the furniture. Place several ice cubes in a zippered sandwich bag and rest the bag over the problem area for a few minutes. Pick the hardened material away with your finger or the bowl of a plastic spoon; it should pry right up. Reapply the ice bag as many times as needed to remove the problem completely.

About the Author

Kathy Adams is an award-winning journalist and freelance writer who traveled the world handling numerous duties for music artists. She writes travel and budgeting tips and destination guides for USA Today, Travelocity and ForRent, among others. She enjoys exploring foreign locales and hiking off the beaten path stateside, snapping pics of wildlife and nature instead of selfies.

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Adams, Kathy. "What House Products Can Be Used to Clean Leather Furniture?" Home Guides | SF Gate, http://homeguides.sfgate.com/house-products-can-used-clean-leather-furniture-103465.html. 29 December 2018.

Adams, Kathy. (2018, December 29). What House Products Can Be Used to Clean Leather Furniture? Home Guides | SF Gate. Retrieved from http://homeguides.sfgate.com/house-products-can-used-clean-leather-furniture-103465.html

Adams, Kathy. "What House Products Can Be Used to Clean Leather Furniture?" last modified December 29, 2018. http://homeguides.sfgate.com/house-products-can-used-clean-leather-furniture-103465.html

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